Handstitched

@Spyros Thats pretty much what I use, sometimes Kwik Grip Gel, but both types work just the same. Can't say I've tried the water based version though. The other brand is called ' Parfix Fast Grip' same thing. I can't get the adhesives (and some sealers) that I want either because they can't be shipped by air , and road freight is too ex$y , so I just have to improvise. They seem to do the job OK, and I've used them for years. If they go off a bit in the tin, I use some toluene to soften it up . HS

These days there are quite a few varieties of contact adhesive for different applications, for construction use for example , some of which are flexible like PVA . I think I have tried PVA in my early days of leather, but it just didn't quite hold . I now use contact adhesive, its like an extra pair of hands . We have ' Clag' here in Oz, a brand thats been around for eons , a white gloopy stuff . Brings back memories, mostly messy ones HS

Can you borrow a set from someone ? , or, buy a set, and sell it on ( to someone on here perhaps ? ) to at least get your money back , just a thought . HS

Once upon a time, I never knew that an old sewing machine could be a thing of beauty , that was until I got into leather , and on this site . Now I have so much appreciation for them now, I guess in the same way that people love old cars, bikes engines etc. Hope Alan Rundell is able to find one HS

Theres a set at Birdsall , Australia...not much help for you though, sorry. They are quite pricey, and the freight even more. https://www.birdsall-leather.com.au/Y8145_dash_00w/Alphabet-Set-3_or_4In-Leather-Art/pd.php Is there a Tandy near you? HS

@Alan RUNDELL I found this: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/73271-cast-iron-again-pearson-bennion-busmc-a1/ Just thought a pic may help . HS

The few times I have needed quality concho's , I have bought from these guys: https://conchos.com/. They have a good range . They don't just do concho's . I'd love to get some more, but the Oz $$ is in the toilet atm , making them really e$xy to ship to Oz. HS

This is pretty much answered, but I have a setter that has a small hole in it at one end, about the same size as the post. I put the post in,put the setter on the tiny bit sticking out, and with a firm hit with hammer, I can depress the leather around the post giving it more length, I sometimes moisten the leather . And as mentioned , they come in different lengths HS

I checked my collection of magazines, but mine only go back as far as 1960.Damn, stuff was cheap back then . What of, a hand bag?? "Wow!! look at the pair of brass 'D' rings on that !!" Ahem. Sorry . HS

@Spyros I hear ya. I bought my Juki clone back in 2005 . It was around $3800 from Qld. , but to replace it now would be around the $5000 + mark . And although its done so much and pretty much paid for itself now, ( and I claim depreciation when I do my tax) , I still hand stitch. I will never give that up . There are many projects/ jobs I do that need the handstitching . I think I spoke about this on another thread. So I'm 50/50 when it comes to machine V's hand stitching. At the end of the day, I'm happy with my decision to buy a heavy duty sewing machine. A bit of trivia: I fully handstitched an item for our local Ag Show( it was a cartridge belt) , and while it got the ' Best in Section' blue ribbon, I'm happy to say , the judge thought it was machine stitched. Go figure ? HS

I have about...25. Its taken me all this time just to accumulate them. And all of our hearts have been broken like a love lost that we will never forget........ *sigh* . HS

Stop it you guys, making me so jealous Yeh, you're right @chuck123wapati, all of those pics would make nice postcards or calendars. Some years back, in Summer, coming back from my early morning casual job, got home around 5am, couldn't let that pass without taking a pic. A bit out of focus, but nice. I stood there for quite a while looking at it as it kept changing colour. . Just me, and Mother Nature waking up. 'sobsniff' HS

" In the next gripping episode"....... ......." To be continued ..." ...." That was the final in this series..." NOOOOO !!! HS

50/50 . For me I think it depends on the individual project. There are some projects where handstitching is best suited for appearance , functionality & authenticity , but as for volume items, as 'AZShooter' said, this is where the machine is good. But you can still achieve an attractive well made item with machine stitching as well. If time is in short supply, once again, a machine is good, also good for just punching out the holes ready for hand stitching......sshh.... .but we never do that...do we??....mmmnah !! HS

@Ferg That is truly beautiful. Such a lovely place you have there. I have to say I'm a little envious. I'm in the Central wheatbelt , west oz, I often jokingly say that we have only 2 seasons here in West Oz , ' alive & dead' . Nice and green during the cooler wet months, but now we're coming into our ' dead' season. Its only a matter of weeks before everything is dead & dry . Theres not much difference between autumn & spring , all looks the same . The only fauna around my place is the occasional bobby, ( Bobtail lizard ) , and the occasional snake, but we're having some confusing weather atm, nice and warm one day, freezing the next. We try to put out water for the ' bobbys' . They help keep the snakes at bay . The sun rises & sun sets is something I enjoy here, I really take notice of those . Lovely pic you have there. HS

@Rbarleatherworks One other thing I did was to use heaps of newspaper, and tape, to 'approximate'/ 'extrapolate' a template before removing the remains of the vinyl . It did help, sorta They really are called ' quad bikes' here in Oz HS

I've also used ' Q' tips, or ear buds to get into the little nooks & crannies. The ones that are currently used to stick up your nose would be good, longer sticks HS

G'Day, I'm not an upholsterer , but I have done the occasional job, including recovering M/C seats, and while they were not very professional, the clients were quite happy . The one pictured first was quite damaged by the elements . I carefully shaped the foam to approximate the original shape and covered it in vinyl. I used contact adhesive to repair the foam. The last pic was pleated , I used ' Cerex**' (automotive) foam , it has a backing to prevent the thread pulling through and was recovered with automotive upholstery leather . If you're to do any pleating, practice first on some scraps ,..... making sure the ' Cerex' foam is the right way up I'm currently upholstering some 60's - '70's office chairs in vinyl atm. ** you may have a different name for it over your way. HS

G'Day, I have used 2.5 - 3mm chrome tanned black, it was firm but flexible . I have used 3.5mm before too. It polished up nicely, and with all the usual oils & dressings , it was quite weather proof as well. The tool bags I've made had flaps inside that 'crossed over ' , like 'folded arms' to protect the contents . I have done them with handstitching, machine stitching and lacing, depending on the clients requirements. Not sure where to source leather in your part of the globe though. Hope this helps a bit HS

I bought a bigger adjustable spanner this arvo from our major hardware chain, you may call them a ' crescent wrench' ? I call them an " AFS" ' ' 'Any F Size' . So it was a choice between a Chinese made tool for $8.00, or a Taiwanese made tool for $26.00. I went for the latter. I'm not into politics, never have been, but yet I made this choice . HS

Had my Juki clone since 2005, I bought an adjustable guide to go with it, but in the whole time I've had it, never used it . I just use the edge of the foot as a guide.....and my eyes HS

@Spyros That reminds me of this: “We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing.” We have this on our stall, with a few chuckles from customers HS

Cheap leathers are good for 'prototypes projects, or that thingame-bob you've just invented. I have worked with Salty leather, a few back straps, I didn't dare stuff it up big $$$$$ if I did !!! @dikman My Mother did cake decorating in a past life, damn good at it too. She made a cake for a fancy do, very pretty and ornate delicate lines & scroll work, about 6 -8+ hrs work.. at the do, ..some stupid kid destroyed it in less than 5 secs. I could see the the expression on Mums face, like she wanted to do something rather unpleasant to the kid. HS

Great minds think alike. I have supplier in Queensland that has a 'clear out' of excess stock, over runs etc. , and often super cheap too. For example, a bundle of 5 roo hides, some imperfect, would be somewhere around $20-30 au +P&P, about $20-30, I order more than one bundle , and anything else worth having, still works out cheap. So it is worth asking about discounted leather, and 2nd, 3rd grade hides . HS *love the new recruit to play "Spock"

Can't say I've ever heard anyone using a router as a burnisher. I would have thought it would be too fast . HS